Michelle Keegan says her dog is a great child substitute. Skip related content
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The 'Coronation Street' star, who plays Tina McIntyre in the ITV soap, says her dachshund puppy Phoebe was the perfect solution to the show's recent baby boom - which saw four babies born to cast members in February.
She said: "If you want a child, my advice is to get a dog."
Michelle, 22, recently admitted that Phoebe has got so comfortable at home that she follows her around when she's naked.
She admitted: "Phoebe's not really allowed up on the bed at my boyfriend's, but she always sneaks up. She follows me everywhere at the moment, even into the bathroom.
"This morning she sat staring at me while I was in the shower."
Puppy love is rapidly spreading throughout Weatherfield, with Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor) posing with beloved Chihuahua Charlie for a charity pet calendar this year and Samia Smith (Maria Connor) proudly showing off Maltese terrier Sunny on walks.
Real life 'Coronation Street' couple Ryan Thomas (Jason Grimshaw) and Tina O'Brien (formerly Sarah Platt) have puppy Tyke to keep their daughter Scarlett company, while Alan Halsall - who plays Tyrone Dobbs - and his ex-'Corrie' wife Lucy-Jo Hudson (Katy Harris) are thrilled with their dog Ruudy.
Alan said: "We've got a baby now in the form of our puppy."
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